If you’re missing one or more teeth, an implant-supported bridge could be the solution and provides a wealth of benefits over a conventional dental bridge. But before diving into the merits of implant-supported bridges to replace missing teeth, let’s take a look at why you should replace missing teeth in the first place.
Why replace missing teeth?
From a cosmetic point of view, losing a tooth is upsetting. It can be uncomfortable, and you may feel embarrassed about having a gap in your smile. But aesthetics apart, missing a tooth can be harmful to your dental health and overall quality of life. Teeth may shift towards the gap and loosen, the alignment of your teeth may change and cause TMJ, and in the longer term, your facial features may sag due to bone loss.
It can be harder to bite and chew nutritious food when you have missing teeth. Unfortunately, removable bridges or partial dentures don’t offer the stability of an implant-supported bridge. Moreover, studies have shown that implant-supported dental devices restore almost all the natural biting force, enabling patients to enjoy a greater range of foods than what could comfortably be eaten with conventional dentures.
What is an implant-supported dental bridge?
At No Gaps Dental, implant-supported bridges are regularly used to replace multiple teeth missing in the same area of the mouth.
While a conventional dental bridge addresses most tooth loss problems, the downside is that they rely on natural teeth for support at each end of the tooth gap. These otherwise healthy teeth have to be ground down by the dentist to accommodate the dental crowns that secure the bridge in place, leaving them weakened and vulnerable to tooth decay. Using dental implants to support a dental bridge eliminates the need to reshape natural teeth.
A dental implant is a titanium post that replaces a missing tooth root. Because it integrates with the jawbone, the prosthetic feels and functions like a natural tooth.
An implant-supported bridge can be an excellent option for patients whose natural teeth are not strong enough to support a standard dental bridge.
How many dental implants are used?
Fortunately, there is no need to replace every missing tooth with a dental implant, as implants are sufficiently strong and secure to support multiple missing teeth. The number of dental implants needed will vary according to the patient’s situation, how
many teeth need replacing, and their location in the mouth. A typical arrangement is two implants supporting three missing teeth, i.e., two dental implants bridged by a dental crown in the middle.
The benefits of an implant-supported bridge
Our dentists will discuss the benefits of both standard and implant-supported bridges with you during an initial consultation. While implant-supported bridges have a longer timeframe, the benefits are more than worth the wait.
Patients who undergo dental implant installation benefit from:
Superior stability
Dental implants are placed deep into the jawbone, and because they become a permanent fixture in the mouth, they hold the dental bridge firmly in place.
Retention of natural teeth
Dental implants are a stand-alone procedure that leaves the adjacent teeth nearest the tooth gap intact and eliminates the wear and tear associated with supporting a dental bridge.
Prevention of bone loss
Having an implant-supported bridge benefits a patient’s oral health. A dental implant acts like a tooth root stimulating the bone to prevent the natural loss of bone when a tooth is lost. While some bone loss may still occur beneath the middle of the bridge, it’s less problematic than with a removable bridge or having no bridge at all. A permanent solution to tooth loss
Conventional bridges depend on natural teeth for support which means there is always a chance that the teeth could decay or other aspects of ageing could affect the viability of the prosthetic.
On the contrary, dental implants could last a patient’s lifetime with good oral hygiene and proper aftercare. Once the implants have integrated with the jawbone, the titanium posts provide a permanent and stable foundation for your dental bridge.
Overview of the procedure
As you might expect, receiving an implant-supported bridge requires several appointments with our dentist.
Placing the dental implants
this is the first step of the procedure and requires minor surgery. The mouth area will be numbed with a local anaesthetic, and sedation is available on request.
Healing phase
Once the implants have been placed, patients must wait for the surrounding bone tissue to integrate with the implant posts in a natural process known as osseointegration. This can take between 3 to 6 months, depending on the body’s healing ability.
Impression taking
Once the implant sites have fully healed, your teeth will be digitally scanned to create a virtual mould for the dental laboratory to craft your customised bridge.
Temporary bridge
Our dentist will likely fit you with a temporary bridge to wear while the lab technician is working on your permanent bridge.
Placement of the bridge
The final restoration step is to fit your bridge by screwing or cementing it onto the implants. Since the dental crowns are carefully matched to the colour of your surrounding teeth, the dental bridge will blend seamlessly into your smile.
Bring back your smile and confidence
An implant-supported bridge offers a more cost-effective solution to replacing each missing tooth with a dental implant and crown. That said, it is more expensive than other removable solutions because dental implant surgery is required. Ultimately, the method you choose to replace missing teeth depends on your financial situation and health. Our dentists are happy to discuss all your options and provide various payment methods to assist. Why not schedule an appointment with a No Gaps dentist today and take the first step towards your new smile.
References
Biomed Central – Tooth loss and oral health-related quality of life: a systematic review and meta-analysis
American Family Physician – Diagnosis and Treatment of Temporomandibular Disorders
The Journal of Indian Prosthodontic Society – Comparative evaluation of biting force and chewing efficiency of all-on-four treatment concept with other treatment modalities in completely edentulous individuals
NCBI – Osseointegration